Monday Pre New Year's.......December 31st, 2007

New Year's Eve...Eastern Time...we always celebrate New Year's on East Coast Time..that way we are done at 9 pm...Pacific Time..and we shall honor that tradition again tonight....

We hope you will all have a good 2008........we are planning on it!.

Here are some nice pictures from Central Oregon I've been saving to share.(I found them on the net)........

Dave

Monday Afternoon...December 31st, 2007

A quiet day...perhaps...

Today we are "laying low".....except Linda kept taking the Christmas decorations to the garage....today is supposed to be a resting day for us...as soon as the Oregon (Sun Bowl)game is over, of course.

Daughter in law Jenn sent this picture today.....it says a lot....

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Linda and I agree that it shows we have aged a lot in a short period of time.....

It communicates a saddness and a quietness......

"It is what it is"....we'll get through it and 2008 will be a better year.

Dave

Sunday Evening....December 30th, 2007

A slow slow day today.....

After a tough night with the low blood pressure (too many medicines competing I understand)......today was a low key day trying to slide in the right direction health wise and with fewer medications.....tough on Linda who has worries of her own...the good news is tomorrow is Monday which means we survived the weekend (everything happens and then...there is a weekend). If we survive New Year's Day then the next day we have more tests and start cycle 3 of chemo......

We will be ready....

Dave

PS..New daughter in law Jenn sent this great "Wood/Emken" Christmas dinner picture today...what are the goofy hats all about...I had no clue..but played along..I think Jim brought them as a gag.....he even had "poppers" too.
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Saturday Evening.......December 29th, 2007

Not a bad day for Linda today.....she remained in pretty good shape all day....this should last through at least the beginning of the 3rd cycle when starts with the infusion of the Taxol on Wednesday....Linda is having a cough which has raised our concern a bit....we will surely discuss this with the Oncologist on Wednesday.

My blood pressure dropped a lot today...quite low for a while..discussed it with the doctor who is speculating that the one medication is starting to control things and the blood pressure medication needs to be stopped for two days to see what happens....we shall see.

Pictures sent today showing what those who left the day after Christmas saw heading out our drive
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Below is a drive across the mountain pass...everyone made it safely and slowly

Son in law Chris and Granddaughter Taigen tried out the Children's Museum in Seattle...we got them season tickets for Christmas...Daughter Wendy is taking the picture.

Dave

Friday Evening....December 28th

A quiet day today..........

Today Linda and I have been very quiet....keeping our heart rates down.....waiting for the new meds to have their chance to start working..it takes a few days to "wash out the old ones let the new ones work".....

A friend, Roger Traweek, came by to visit and share a CD of music and poetry he had done....."a calming CD" for Linda to listen to....Roger is very talented with words and poetry...a gifted man. We know the CD will bring much peace...it's title: "Bad Times Forgotten".

It is quiet here after having so many here a day or two ago. We hope for a quiet and uneventful weekend.

Dave

Thursday Evening.....December 27th

A day at the "Docs" today....

Today we started with Linda's dentistry work...the cleaning and checkup had been put off many times but this was the good week and the opportunity presented itself...so she has that behind her.

My blood pressure acted up on the way to town..it had been contemplating this over the night...so not much sleep and plenty of "breathing" and listening music, etc..

The Cardiologist was pretty good...he and his Practitioner formed a plan to get me back on track and feeling as I should. Some of the medications I have been taken might in fact have aggravated the situation...so they are gone....it will take about a week to see if the new combinations work well....I am not going back to the prior Doctor..my fate is in this Doc's hands.....wish me luck.

We got home tonight and Linda's pressure shot up.....where did that come from?......she thinks she will be needing to go back to her old pre cancer medications soon...we shall see.....it is still a bit unnerving.

Today we formally cancelled our spring and late summer adventures...the spring was a sailing trip for two weeks to Tahiti and the Cook Islands...the last summer trip was sailing off Italy and Greek Islands......these were trips of a lifetime but with the way our health issues have been, we decided the stress of it all would have been too much...as we have much healing to do...so we decided to stay close this year....close to Doctors....close to Hospitals....close to family....close to friends....there will be opportunities as we heal in body and mind.

Dave

Wednesday Evening.....December 26, 2007

It's been awhile since I've posted, so thought I'd give Dave a break.

This morning saw the departure of the families, with the exception of Janine, who leaves tomorrow. It was hard to say good-bye, but I know it was also wearing on me, having so much company. It was just so great to have all my family around me for the holidays. Dave and I went to bed early each night, letting them stay up playing cards, etc. I slept deep each night.

We woke up to a wonderland of snow this morning and blue skies, so it should have been a beautiful drive home over the pass for the kids.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. I am so grateful for mine and feel blessed to have so many loved ones in my family and friends.

Love and gratitude....Linda

Tuesday Evening....Christmas Night...December 25th, 2007

A good day with family and illnesses forgotten......

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Today was a good Christmas...we didn't allow our illnesses to get in the way...Linda really had a good day....tired tonight but felt the day was very fullfilling....her many faces:

And more:

Dave

Christmas Day..December 25th, 2007

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!!!!

Ginny, Grace, Bob, Mary, Darrell, Sallie, Dave, Joni, Ray, John, Kris, Kim, Darron, Kay, Claudia, Steve, Nancy, Meg, Andy, Sandy, Mike, Lisa, Mark, Jenn, Jim, Janine, Wendy, Chris, Mom, Jeff, Gene, Janet, Ken, Ruth, Rick, Mindy, Julie, Jack, Anne, Marlin, Ernie, Karen, Kim, Mick, Anita, LaVelle, Barb, Frank, Grace, Marilyn, Peter, Cheryl, Denise, Susie, Little Sis, Al, Norman, Deb, Bev, Shelly, Scott, Susan, Rick, Liz, Sean, Vicki, Vickie, Swee, Beth, Wayne and Virginia, Ethel.............and all others we forgot to mention.....

Thanks.....Thanks....For Caring so much.........Have a great Holidays!!!!!!!

Linda and Dave

Monday Evening....Christmas Eve...December 24th, 2007

A lot today......in terms of awareness and thankfulness...

Today Linda and I went to the counselor...to try to sort through what was going on with the "broken down caregiver"....I think what we learned was, first, not to discount that there may be some medical issues further needing resolving.....and to connect with the cardiologist Wednesday to narrow things down....then it is building the trust that the caregiver will survive the blood pressure issues and all and slowly deal with the anxiety and stress......

Family all arrived today and we had a good Christmas eve dinner....

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Linda then presented each child and husband with a Tahitian pearl necklace...she had originally obtained the pearls on our last trip to Tahiti (we go every five years to remind us of our honeymoon there) to make a floating pearl bracelet...but she decided that she wanted each child to have a necklace to remind them of her instead....it was very emotional and meaningful to the family members. We also gave each grandchild (ok..ok..there are only two...but it's not our fault)...a family heirloom...Linda gave Jillian a dish from Linda's grandparent's wedding dishes.....I gave Taigen the giant stone marble that my Father played with as a child and so did I.

It was a good evening...hopefully all do not stay up all night and are worn out in the am when the excitement starts.

.Heathwise, Linda and I had a pretty good day.

Dave

Sunday Evening....December 23rd, 2007

Church day today.......

Today we got up and went to our "old" Bend church...quite a drive but worth it...Linda was able to connect with folks and the service was good.....I did find all that standing up a bit much but I survived it all.

Linda even treated Janine and I to lunch at Izzy's (I'm cured of that place for a while).

The rest of the day has been uneventful....with a good dinner and all. Once the Amazing Race is over it's off to bed as tomorrow the multitudes arrive...I'll have to remember to breathe deeply tomorrow....

Dave

Saturday Evening...December 22nd, 2007

Not a bad day today...

I awoke to Linda feverishly baking in the kitchen..it's the Linda thing....particularly around holidays...the good message is it meant she was feeling good.....and she was. It seems the low neutropenic point has been passed and she should have a good week ahead. Her pulse only reached the concern point once today and as soon as she slowed down....it did too.

I had a crappy night with blood pressure issues..but today I managed to keep it pretty much in check...being somewhat immobile for most of the day.

Janine came today and we had a good cooked dinner...we've not been at our best cooking in the last while. Tomorrow we are all going to our old church in Bend.....Linda will be able to see folks she hasn't seen in a long time...and she will look her "old self".

Dave

Friday Late Evening....December 21st

Linda visited with the Oncologist Nurse Practitioner (Susie) today...her blood counts were good and she got a good report......and she felt pretty good today too.....our hope is this carries on through Christmas.

We visited with friends and neighbors a lot of the day also.....

Tonight my blood pressure is all over the place....not sure what that all means....and I am focusing on my breathing.

Dave

Thursday Evening......December 20th

Not so bad today....

Today was a pretty quiet day...we didn't get up too early..trying to be easy on ourselves. Linda's pulse has been elevated but comes back down when she focuses on it.

Monday we are scheduled with the hospital counselor..put that together today. tomorrow we go to the Clinic to get the neutropenic check...to see if Linda is "on her way down " or "heading up" (in terms of blood counts)....the prediction is Saturday will be the bottom point...tomorrow will give good clues though as to her well being in terms of the counts.

Linda has been baking again today..her therapy......

Janine comes Saturday.....stays for several days

Wendy, Chris and Taigen come Monday afternoon...leave Wednesday am

Jim, Jenn and Jillian come Monday afternoon...leave Wednesday am

Jeff comes sometime Monday and leaves Christmas night or Wednesday.

Dave

Wednesday Evening...December 19th, 2007

A significant day.......

Today Linda and I met with the Community Education Coordinator for the St. Charles Cancer Treatment Center....we hadn't been aware of the support services and therapies offered at the Center. Actually I have known the Coordinator for many years through Wings and as a friend so building instant trust was there.

I was quickly aware of the emotional needs that I had been neglecting...being such a good caregiver....it all came out pretty fast and hard.....

I discovered (I think I already knew) that stress management and anxiety transformation are an important part of this journey....so we focused on "the relaxation response" and will practice that for the next few weeks....we will meet with our "coach " from time to time to see how we are doing....

We are also scheduled for Reiki sessions right after the first of the year...to promote calm and well being...and stimulating healing inner body chemicals.....

And I will be meeting with a hospital counselor to assist in "my journey"...

I have practiced breathing numerous times this day and been listening to a CD on "Relieving Stress" by Belleruth Naparstek...I actually went beyond that and went to my ITUNES to seek out some Wings songs of significant meaning to me...

So quite a day....I'm not getting an instant "fix"..it will take a long time..so I am practicing patience (A struggle for a "get it done" guy)....my body is pretty messed up by the imbalances of it all. Like I said, I "trust the process"...I'm "in".

Linda was right there every step of the way and is feeling pretty good for the "neutropenic week"...a bit weak but looking good in spite of it.....we are hoping for a good strong Christmas for her....

Thanks to all of you for your support...this is a "tough gig"...we didn't pick it out...Linda expressed her sadness of how happy and carefree people can be during these times and she has this burden...and then we talked again about Alex Zanardi, who in loosing his legs in an racing accident, saw the goodness and how fortunate he was to have survived and being able to do as much as he can even though he lost his legs...an inspiration..we hope some day to see him again..he was and is Linda's favorite driver of all times....

Anyway..."it is what it is" and we make the most of it and be better as a result of it.

Dave

PS...instead of "taking on the world" we all agreed that the "Healing Bridges" with biofeedback..is soemthing "down the line" in a month or two..I talked with them today and they support the route we are taking.

Tuesday Evening....December 18th, 2007

Linda continues to make it through cycle 2.....

Today was a day at Doctors and more Doctors..not for the primary patient but the caregiver...cutting back on medications ...checking out other sources for the high blood pressure, etc. Tomorrow I go to a bio feedback screening to see if there is help there....we have pretty much figured out all is anxiety based...now finding the solutions is the task at hand. Linda has had a difficult journey and somehow it got the caregiver wound up in trouble. That old adage "take care of yourself first" is what we tried to follow..another great statement is "you have to walk in these shoes to experience what we've been through". The good news is we are doing the best we can do.

Linda meets Friday with the Oncologist Nurse Practitioner...she hopes for good reports which she can then skate gleefully through Christmas.

Dave

Monday Evening.......December 17th, 2007

Pretty good day today for the lady of the house.....

Linda had a pretty good day today with very little pain and no nausea.....she has been a bit emotional about my blood pressure problems (I am wound up about her problems..now she's winding up over mine....what a deal). Tomorrow I see the Doctor again.....today they prescribed some antidepressants....but then my pressure has gone low..so who knows what the deal is.

Linda will be entering her "neutropenic stage" which should be at it's lowest Friday (or Saturday)...then she will climb to pretty good health over the holidays we hope.

Dave

Sunday Evening.....December 16th, 2007

Not much new to report...

Today Linda and I sat all day..not moving a muscle..trying to avoid anything that might happen....Linda has no nausea (off those meds too)......her pain level from the chemo (bone-pain) is manageable...the steroid pills help a lot...she does take some pain medication in addition from time to time....her blood pressure is ok...she drinks lots of water to make sure it doesn't get too low this time. She is very tired though..most likely due to the chemo.

I am within normal ranges for blood pressure most of the time today.....taking many meds to have it happen though...makes me nervous as I don't like pills ...I see the Doctor again Tuesday and would like to get off some of them...I think they make me nauseous and jittery.

Dave

Saturday Evening....December 15th, 2007

Not much new to report...

Today linda and I had a low key day...focusing on the medications and the regimes we are to follow...I'm not too comfortable with things either way but we have to try things the Doctors dictate to get the solutions...I am always a bit nervous because it is a weekend.....seems like this entire events from the beginning has been on a weekend.

Linda is doing much better this round with the pain...the steroids must be doing the trick...she also is drinking water like a champ to avoid the low blood pressure last round which led to some "ER time".

Dave

Friday Evening....December 14th

Another trip to town......

Linda had her appointment with the Oncologist Nurse Practitioner today...and things went well. The appointment was to keep track of Linda's condition, as in the last cycle she had troubles about this time......her blood pressure remains strong and her pain is being managed well....at this point...of course each new day can be different so we are keeping close eye on things.

My hypertension continues to be bothersome...I visited the Doctor again today and he has added some "blockers"..whatever that means. I am wanting very much to feel better...not a time to go through this.

We are hoping for an "eventless" weekend....and then a good week next week.

Dave

Thursday Evening....December 13th, 2007

Pretty good day......

Linda met with her Internist today and got some medication changes and a plan to go through the blood pressure issues that will be arising with this cycle of chemo. Tomorrow we meet with the Oncologist Nurse Practitioner for more information and ideas.....all of this is to head off the many difficulties she had in the first cycle.

The "bone pain" that comes with the type of chemo used is starting to show tonight.....hopefully the steroids administered this time will ease that pain which lasts for about 4 days before easing.
My hyper tension showed up harshly this morning...199 systolic.....I'm working hard to keep it in check...the rest of the day has shown it to be lower.

We mentioned that our friend Steve stopped by the other day and brought a gift from his wife Kathy...a very cool Christmas block that says BELIEVE when lit up...here it is:
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Dave

ps..."YES"..the hair is coming out again...it was coming back nice and fuzzy...but the new chemo rounds are taking it away...good thing there is a "Cranial Prothesis"..aka a "Wig".

Wednesday Evening....December 12th, 2007

Back to town today....again....

Linda is having a pretty good day...just as she had the day after the chemo in the first cycle. If all holds to form she will have a good day tomorrow with the bone pain beginning tomorrow night.. The Oncologist is having her start the steroids tomorrow in preparation for the bone pain so hopefully the pain will be reduced.

Today my blood pressure skyrocketed again..so off to the doctor we went. This hypertension is scary stuff....particularly when the numbers get so high. The doctor increased my medication ...gave me pills to lower the fluids in the blood and gave me "rescue" pills to take if the pressure gets too high....I am dropping off the pressure records I am taking Friday with him as Linda will be visiting the Oncologist nurse to deal with preventing the blood pressure drop she had in the last cycle. Tomorrow she also visits with the Internist to discuss the blood pressure issues that showed up in the first cycle.

We are trying to ease these symptoms as they have become quite scary to us...and most likely led to my hypertension.......hence the efforts.

Dave

Tuesday Evening...December 11th, 2007

Day 1 of the 2nd chemo cycle........

Linda spent most of the day in chemo today...she held up really well...it usually takes a couple of days for the side effects to show up. We spent time with the Oncologist discussing the side effects in the first cycle and how things would be better this time with additional medications and help from the Internist Thursday. Linda is also coming back for a check up on Friday as that was when her blood pressure was dangerously low last time.

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Linda wore her new socks to the infusion center,which say "BELIEVE"....her shirt as a gift from friend Judy said "BELIEVE"....friend and library head Beth created another prayer shawl which Lind wore today...with help like this, she was very prepaired to do well this round...thanks to you all.

Linda also took "goodies" to the infusion nurses....especially for liz who has been special and it was her birthday today.

My hypertention stated back up agan tonight...I am staying very calm and taking Ativan...it seems to be slowing down......slowly.......no trips to the ER if I can avoid it.

Dave

Monday Evening Late...December 10th

You asked for it....here it is.....the amazing ST. Paul High School cheerleaders Caudia and Linda...1961-62 and 1962-63:

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Monday Evening....December 10, 2007

A strange turn of events......

Late last night Dave started feeling an escalated heart rate and pressure.....the blood pressure increased to over 190....clearly not good.....Linda called 911....they came and stabilized him...the pressure dropped into the upper 140's and they felt he could drive himself to the emergency room.....so we drove to Bend and sat while assessing the situation...things remained calm so we ended up coming back and went to bed.

This morning the blood pressure spiked again...in the 180's...and then settled back again. Our friend Steve brought over a neat " BELIEVE" ornament made by his wife Kathy.....soon after he left, the pressure spiked again......

We decided to get a hold of Dave's doctor who had been treating him for the high blood pressure which started soon after Linda was diagnosed with cancer. Alas, his doctor was busy but they gave us another Doctor to see in two hours...we though decided to head down there (25 miles) immediately. During the ride, the pressure increased to over 205....enough was enough...we headed to the emergency room.

To make a long story short, Dave has hypertension brought on by his concern and apprehension about Linda.....the fix has been to double his blood pressure medication and a prescription of Ativan...which is like Valium...he is to focus on keeping calm, etc. etc. He has a follow up with his doctor next week. The doctors in the emergency room said this was a messenger...a good one..that this can be headed off and strokes and heart attacks will be something he will not have to worry about...good news although it felt like one was about to happen at the time.

Tomorrow Linda begins her second round of chemo...we hope we have much of it mapped out and can ease things a bit....blood pressure has played a big part in her routine also so we will work on solutions to that with the doctors this week.

Dave and Linda

Sunday Evening.....December 9th, 2007

A good day today......

After spending the night at Judy and Roman's home last night...and visiting this morning, we went on to Linda's Sister's home...Karen and Ray. Brother Marlin and Sister in law Joni were there too for dinner...we had a great time visiting....

We then went over the mountains to home..little snow and ice...so we lucked out traveling both ways this trip. Linda's blood pressure is down a bit so we will watch it tonight....Tuesday she goes in for her second cycle of chemo with two more after that to go.

Pictures Below:

First.....Linda at breakfast at Judy's

Second..Linda getting a BELIEVE shirt from friend Judy

Third...Linda and friend Judy

Fourth....Linda at dinner at her sister Karen's

Fifth...Linda, Karen and Marlin...three siblings (Brother Norman couldn't make it)

Dave

Saturday Evening...December 8th, 2007

A good day today!

Today Linda felt almost normal..according to her own words...a good night's sleep...well rested..

We visited with friend Nancy...and then went to daughter Janine's for lunch...... and then over to Linda's friend Claudia for an afternoon visit...Claudia will wonder why we have pictures of everyone but her with Linda....well...last time Claudia came to our house...I forgot...today I even took the camera along in my pocket so I wouldn't forget...and that is just where it stayed....no offense Claudia..next time we will get it done...we really want a Claudia and Linda picture...I mean, they were cheerleaders in high school together!

We are now in Stayton at Linda's friend Judy's...more about that tomorrow...and I most likely will not forget a picture...I hope.

Here's to another good day tomorrow!

Dave

Friday Evening.....December 7th, 2007

A day in Portland.........

Today we spent the day in Portland visiting and shopping...we actually believe Christmas shopping is done...part of which was due to me getting on the internet last night and doing on "on line stuff"

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We finished our shopping at COSTCO with Linda in a wheelchair to save her energy for the evening..she "kinda" liked doing that..so we might be doing it again from time to time to save her energy.

Tonight we are staying with our friend Nancy in Portland..she is on the Willamette River and we can see the decorated boats coming by lit up with Christmas lights. We then went to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant.

Linda is holding up pretty good and is managing her blood pressure...it is all over the place and she is using the medications to control it...still a bit scary but it seems to work. .....we are to meet again with the Internist next Thursday and between her and the Oncologist on Tuesday...maybe we'll get some strategies that will ease the anxiety..

Dave

Thursday Evening...December 6th, 2007

A busy day today....

Linda and I seem to be "at it " all day...not "at each other" but rather "at it"......

First shopping in Bend......not overly successful..found out all those things kids wanted on their list were NOT at the stores they said they were...what they did was sit at home....look it up on the internet sites...and ...and. I have learned that next year (as well as some of it this year)...is to stay at home and order it off the internet...GO AMAZON! We are slooowwww learners but now we get it.

We then had a nice lunch and conversation with the Hennessys'..great couple from Sunriver....

We then went home to pack and drive to the valley...to Portland..over the mountain pass. The pass was supposed to freeze up...and...and. But we went through in a breeze before the nasty weathe set in...bonus for us!

We did some shopping on the way up the valley to Portland...limited success..but some things we got....tomorrow and Saturday we have time to do some more shopping....tonight I go online to Amazon and knock a bunch of stuff off the lists.

Tonight we are at Daughter Janine's. Tomorrow night we have dinner and all with friend Nancy in Portland and spend the night. What is neat is she lives on the Willamette River and the boats parade up and down the river after dark with decorations and holiday lights....pretty neat. Saturday night we go to Linda's friend (and insurance agent) Judy and spend the evening and night..Judy and Roman have recently built a new home outside Salem ....we look forward to the visit. On Sunday Linda's siblings get to gether (Brother Norman, Sister Karen annd Brother in law Ray, and Brother Marlin and Sister in law Joni) at Karens...and then home Sunday night (to rest after all this).

Enough said....

Dave

Wednesday Evening....December 5th

A different day...

Linda had troubles with her blood pressure again...high pressure....high pulse. She finally placed a call to the internist....they are doubling her medication and adding a second medication....when her pressure is other than low she takes the medication...and stops it when the pressure is low. Not what we really want to do (like self medicate) but I guess this is it for a while. We hope to get additional information when Linda meets with the Medical Oncologist next Tuesday...she also begins the second cycle of chemo that same day.

Linda's partner Sean and his family came over for dinner tonight....nice folks and a great opportunity for Linda to take her mind off things.

Tomorrow we go to Bend to do some Christmas shopping and lunch with friends...and then on to the valley for the weekend if Linda feels like it....and the blood pressure is handled. We have get togethers with various friends and family throughout the weekend.

Dave

Tuesday Evening..Early...December 4th, 2007

Pretty good day.......

Linda: What a long day though. I've been plastered to the couch since we got home. We spent the morning in the clinic going through my last cardio test and then dropped by Brasada Ranch to place a large wreath above the fireplace in our large spec home (may it sell soon!). We stopped to do some grocery shopping and finally drove home.

I am trying to take advantage of my good days before next weeks chemo. After that, I won't feel like doing much until Christmas week. I haven't done any baking or candy making and usually I go nuts with it, giving tons of it away. I feel bad that I can't do all I'm used to doing for the holidays, but that's just part of the new normal. Dave gets a lot of it put on his shoulders. There would probably be no gifts under the tree if it weren't for him. He's definitely is my Christmas angel.

Thanks for all the recent comments. Many of them bring me to tears. I keep thinking one of these days you will tire of reading the blog, but I haven't been disappointed yet. I know your lives are busy now too.

Love and gratitude.......Linda

Monday Evening....December 3rd, 2007

Linda is doing pretty good today........

Linda's blood pressure is up and bit and the pulse is a bit high...but much preferred to that low stuff!

Today we went to the clinic to get the monitor hooked up...it measures Linda's pulse for 24 hours as she engages in her different activities...and she has to document what she is doing at all times so the clinician can figure out if there is a problem....

We also went to the lab to have the blood draws and injections to measure something in the blood which we don't quite understand..the bad news is ....neither did they....the lab couldn't get blood ....they also couldn't give the injection....a nurse had to do it..and the nearest department with a nurse had to read about the injection....you probably figured with all this, that a "time out" was needed..and that's just what we did..we said we would rather have them get their act together rather than trying to figure it out as we sat there..they agreed and tomorrow we go back....

Linda had some energy to go Christmas shopping today.....so we got things started..we only have this week as next week Linda will be starting another cycle....it's been hard convincing the kinds that this timeline is important....continuous reminders are being sent out.

Our hope is that Linda's days will be easier as this week goes along......we plan on doing our "valley Christmas" visits done this weekend.....

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions coming in....Linda reads them..as a highlight of her day.

Dave

Sunday Early Evening.... December 2nd, 2007

Not a bad day.....

Linda did pretty good today (so far)...looks like we will survive the weekend....

Her vitals are all pretty good and she has been resting a lot.....

We also did the Christmas tree as our help is unable to come as planned...we haven't done too bad though...work a little..rest a lot....

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If you look closely just off Linda's right hand you'll see the ornament I hung (In the upper picture)(just kidding....it was a team effort)......

Dave

Saturday Evening...December 1st, 2007

So many things..where do I start?

Last night Linda's blood pressure began to drop to a point where we became very concerned...and lost a lot of sleep as a result. Of course things like this happen on Fridays...with the weekend to face without help until Monday. And Linda had already had a frightful experience with a blood pressure drop (althought this was not close to the drop last week).

We made it through the night....today the pressure was ok and then low with a high pulse.....big time stress was setting in....I actually felt more fear with all of this as opposed to the nasty first rounds of chemo and radiation...it is because we understood how dangerous the situation was last week. Anyway, Linda called her cousin Ron in Eugene who is a doctor...I think we have mentioned how helpful he has been before....a "life ring" when we really need some help.

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Anyway, he explained things to Linda and where the danger points were with blood pressure and with the pulse.....it gave both of us a much ease in what had been very stressful. So although things are all over the map (high pressure...high pulse, low pressure...high pulse, or low pressure...low pulse) we feel as if we can "weather things".

Linda has another cousin, Ruth, in Nebraska who sent Linda today a very nice picture...simple but clearly stating "we believe"...Linda's mantra in the journey:

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Thanks Ruth...very cool and appropriate!

Tonight our neighbor across the creek was having a surprise 70th birthday dinner and we were invited....it was held in the clubhouse in Tolgate. outside Sisters....where we lived years ago. We went back and forth whether to go because of all the above...and....and.....Linda decided she was up to it and we were glad we went. There were many, many wonderful people present and it was a lot of fun.....and Linda stayed for 3 hours.....all her choice. Jack...our neighbor...turned 70 and was very surprised.....it was well worth going just to hear folks talk about Jack and good things about him.....bravo to his wife Liz who put it all together....so nice it all was...gave Linda much energy just being there.

We feel as if we can make it through the weekend....we don't think the tests Monday will show anything (but we will still do them)....we now believe the blood pressue issues are due to the chemo....now that we believe that, the question is how can we avoid the frightful, dangerous blood pressure drops if they should happen again in the next cycle....or the cycle after that....that is what we will be pursuing in terms of answers next week.

Dave